OfficerBlueThe Batesville Police Department said that Deputy Clark was responding to a shooting call, according to WREG. He was traveling through the Falcon community on Mississippi 3, about eight miles from Marks, when he swerved to miss two dogs that were in the roadway.
The fallen hero was known for keeping candy in his car for children, and would stop and talk to children getting out of school in Crowder and Quitman County, according to The Clarion-Ledger. Stephanie Armstead, town clerk, said that Deputy Clark loved kids, and they loved them back.
Quitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Tommy Bryant said, “Jimmy’s folks are in Wyoming and Virginia, but he fit in real good. Crowder is a little different place, if you’re not front there, they don’t take you in too good for a while, but everyone liked Jimmy.”
He said, “He was just helpful. He worked a lot of night shifts from 12-8, and he’d call whoever worked the day shift after him, he’d call in the morning to say, ‘If you need me call me,’ and he did that every day. That was him.”
Deputy Bryant also said, “He loved a lot of blue lights on his car. If he told me one time, he told me 1,000 times, he loved them. His car had more lights than anybody else on there. If there was anybody who really loved being the police, that was Jimmy.”
Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge asked for prayers for Deputy Clark’s family and department.
He said, “Our condolences and prayers go out to Deputy Clark, his family, his department, and all others affected by this tragic event. We recognize the dangers we face protecting and serving the people of our jurisdictions. So many officers are sacrificing even to death in protecting our communities. It’s a calling worth doing… We appreciate continued prayers of support, especially in times of immediate need like this.”
Deputy Clark was a two-year veteran of the Quitman County Sheriff’s Office, and had previously been Chief of Police for the Crowder Police Department. He is survived by his wife and children.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Deputy Jimmy Clark, both blood and blue. Godspeed, sir, we will take the watch from here. Thank you for your service.